FC Cincinnati has a higher winning percentage, scores more goals and allows fewer when defensive midfielder Kenney Walker is in the starting lineup.
The Enquirer/Charlie Hatch

FC Cincinnati defender Josu (99) reacts after scoring a penalty kick during the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match between the Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati on June 28, 2017 at Nippert Stadium.(Photo: The Enquirer/Kareem Elgazzar)

Alan Koch made it clear during the offseason that 2018 would have a significantly different look from the head coach's first season at Futbol Club Cincinnati.

Then, Koch was promoted into the role the night before the club embarked on a preseason trip to Florida. What followed in 2017 was a campaign he called "almost helter skelter at times," which consisted of constant roster additions and match results that fluctuated with regularity.

"We were having to manage the group of players we inherited," he said Feb. 27. "And no disrespect to them, certain players have certain profiles and you want to squeeze everything you can out of every individual within a framework. We adjusted that framework a lot last year."

In 2018, the framework shouldn't tinker much.

Koch upgraded the roster and added players to mold to his tactics. While changes will come, he said in the preseason that player signings and departures would be at a minimum unless they instantly enhance the roster.

This past week was the perfect example of those words being put into action.

FC Cincinnati released left back Josu Currais on Monday morning, then helped facilitate Garrett Halfhill's switch to the New York Cosmos B on Tuesday. In doing so, Cincinnati signed Sierra Leone international and proven Major League Soccer midfielder Michael Lahoud on Wednesday.

FC Cincinnati defender Garrett Halfhill (26) looks to pass out of defense in the first half during the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup game between AFC Cleveland and FC Cincinnati, Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. (Photo: The Enquirer/Kareem Elgazzar)

In reality, the releases were minor: Two young squad-rotation players who weren't competing for a spot in the lineup and could earn game experience elsewhere. Both are 24-years-old and combined for 19 appearances last season.

"We've got two players that have gone out that probably weren’t going to be getting much playing time for us," Koch said Tuesday. "We’re open and honest and transparent with the guys and let them know where they stand. But we’re going to set them up for success, and we wouldn’t have been able to give them the chances they would’ve liked.

"With Josu, we figured some things out so he could go home (to Spain). With Garrett, we helped facilitate a place where he can go play. We wish both of them good luck."

Lahoud's arrival, though, should be seen in the lineup soon. If not Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, then soon after when FC Cincinnati juggles mid-week matches and potentially another Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run.

"Even thought it’s two out and one in, we’ve just made the group better in the last few days," Koch said.

Perhaps bigger than roster management, however, was the moves marked the first time Koch and new technical director Luke Sassano worked together on transfer business.

Sassano joined FC Cincinnati on March 14 from the New York Cosmos. With his addition, the role would allow him to scout players while Koch oversees the on-field product.

"This is the nice beauty of having Luke here with us now too, so we have another body and another mind to help challenge each other and brainstorm and see what we can do," the coach said. "Luke, with myself and (team president and general manager Jeff Berding), was a big part of trying to get things done for the three players.

"The two going out and the one going in, it’s been a collective effort. But without Luke being a part of it, I don’t think things would’ve happened as smoothly and expeditiously as they have happened."